Mid-way through our recent trip to Italy, my husband, Michael, got bronchitis. We had to take it easy to conserve his energy. After 4 days recuperating by seaside we decided to venture into Pietrapertosa, a small mountain village in Basilicata. To get there by bus we had to go through Potenza-- a sprawling, non-charming city that Michael had wanted to avoid at all costs.

All connections worked well. As we rolled our duffels down cobblestone street people kept pointing us in direction of town's only hotel. When we arrived little old Italian woman out of Central Casting welcomed us to otherwise empty hotel, checked us in and asked if we'd like something to eat. Her daughter served us bowls of handmade orecchiette. We were full with one course. Afterwards we asked daughter directions to nearest bancomat.

Bancomat?

Apparently there was no bancomat in town. Oh well. The room was really cheap and surely we had enough cash to cover it. Foolish of us not to come prepared, but no big deal.

We strolled around town briefly. Michael didn't have strength for much. We sat in a nearby piazza in sun and listened to a local character tell stories of his war experiences. We only understood about ten percent of what he was saying but no one seemed to mind.

Keeping a journal is a form of creative expression that enhances creativity coaching process. Keeping a journal develops emotional awareness, reinforces self-esteem and aids in problem-solving. Keeping a journal also provides a written record of artistic growth, struggle and change. Here are some basic exercises that I use throughout creativity coaching process.

DIALOGUE: Writing a dialogue between one or more subjects helps to identify and separate emotions, ideas, issues and influences in a given creative situation. The primary result of writing dialogue is to clarify creative situation, to give voice to all aspects of situation and to restore situation to it's proper perspective.

GRATITUDE LIST: Thank you lists are very easy to write. It takes no more than a few seconds, some paper and a pen to create a list. Thank you lists, no matter what length, powerfully challenge negative thoughts, disappointment and disouragement. Lists also help restore situaition to it's rightful place in clients creative pocess. Thank you lists are especially useful when pursuing long-term goals and facing crises.